Parent University to mark its first graduating class

The second year of Parent University in Effingham County will begin with recognition of some of the people who made the first year a success.

Parent University-Effingham, a partnership between the Springfield Central High School Association and Effingham County School System to promote parental involvement in education, will be held Saturday at Effingham County Middle School. The entire program is free of charge.

Following registration and breakfast at 7:45 a.m., the program will begin at 9 with a ceremony for Parent University-Effingham’s first graduates. The parents earned 15 course credits by attending Parent University sessions during the 2012-13 school year.

“This will be a very special graduation group,” said veteran educator and Parent University dean Franklin Goldwire. “We’re proud to have this much interest in the program after only one year of it being in existence. We hope to see many more graduates in the coming years.”

Parents will be able to take part in three different informational sessions on Saturday. They will choose from a number of programs, offered from 9:40-10:35, 10:40-11:25 and 11:30-12:15.

The courses offered will include social media safety, CPR certification, managing a child’s behavior positively, financial aid for college, preparing students for jobs and careers and understanding the College and Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI).

“The bottom line is to get parents involved in their kids’ education,” Goldwire said. “Statistics tell us that, when parents are involved in their children’s education, the children seem to do better — and it carries through life.”

Lunch will be served at the close of the sessions. Various vendors will be on hand during the day, and the “kids academy” will provide age-appropriate activities for children ages 4-17.

Parent University-Effingham has expanded from two dates last year to three this year. Along with the one this Saturday, sessions will be offered on Feb. 22 and April 5.

“This is just a start,” Goldwire said. “We hope to increase our program over time to impact in other ways and offer additional opportunities to work with our young people in helping them become successful.”

For more information about Parent University or to register for Saturday’s program, call 772-3885, 754-3835 or 661-5290.